The German magazine "Der Spiegel" reports that ten prototypes of Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console were stolen at the end of August. The development kit prototypes disappeared while in air transit from Hong Kong to Germany.

According to the article, the devices were stolen from a warehouse in D?ren, where they were kept. The Xbox 360s had been sent to Germany in order to be evaluated and supported by software and game developers.

Austrian and German authorities have been investigating the case and have searched buildings in Troisdorf, Germany and in Niederfsterreich, Austria. So far, only three out of the ten stolen devices have been recovered.

The Xbox 360 pictures that appeared on the internet a few days after the theft are believed to be of the stolen objects.

Both Austrian and German authorities are continuing investigations.

Microsoft has confirmed a wide range of game titles that will be coming to the platform before Christmas 2005, and also revealed some of the more than 200 new titles in development for Xbox 360. The console is expected to ship as early as Christmas, for less than 300 Euros.